6 Tips for Writing Your Thesis Findings 📊

Writing up quantitative research data in your thesis can be challenging, so here are 6 tips for developing your dissertation findings and results chapter.

People commonly assume that writing up quantitative data is relatively straightforward. Well, they’ve never tried to write up quantitative data! This myth is based on the idea that it’s JUST numbers, so compared to the complexities and intricacies of qualitative data, it should be a walk in the park!

Writing up quantitative data is not easy. You have to use those numbers to tell a story, and that story has to make sense, be supported by evidence and have a logical beginning, middle and end. So, there is a lot more to it than many people imagine!

However, the process can be simpler and more straightforward when you remember these six tips.

(1) It’s okay if it’s a mess to begin with. You will need to go through various iterations of the chapter until you get it right.

(2) Start with an outline structure, beginning with your descriptive statistics, then presenting the rest of your analysis around your research questions or hypotheses.

(3) Pay careful attention to your visuals, ensuring you are using the most appropriate table, diagram or chart for the data you are presenting.

(4) Be consistent in your presentation, especially when it comes to your visuals. Use the same fonts, text sizes, and colour schemes across the chapter and don’t forget to label every visual you include.

(5) Don’t simply describe your quantitative data. Ensure you are analysing and synthesising too. Don’t just say what the data are, interpret what they MEAN.

(6) Lastly, don’t have any random charts, diagrams, tables or other visuals that are not referred to in the main body text of your chapter. Everything needs to be integrated into the story of your data. Don’t leave your examiner wondering what on earth that table means and what it relates to!

Chapters
0:00 – 1:15 Introduction and overview
1:16 – 2:01 Get messy!
2:02 – 3:22 Get your basic outline structure in place
3:23 – 5:58 Be careful with your visuals
5:59 – 8:11 Consistent presentation
8:12 – 10:37 Don’t forget to analyse!
10:38 – 11:50 Integrate visuals and narrative
11:51 – 12:49 Summary

// Other helpful videos //
Should I refer back to the literature in my findings chapter? https://youtu.be/hQ6zKPE5sck?si=9xCNxBSC-rEyvGFB
How to present qualitative data https://youtu.be/LoLTwn6l5bs?si=aHUF_Z4CXXWMg8sy
How to write up your methods chapter
https://youtu.be/WyxfXsZvpnQ?si=PwHqVM26c12UkEPe
How to choose a PhD examiner https://youtu.be/ZDRAkDn2pSw?si=BqN6rjGnD2bxBvol
How to finish your dissertation by changing your mindset https://youtu.be/GP1KisTPN0Q?si=6rPiGP9Hu18hUEXD
Write like an academic https://youtu.be/BNrLXFoY0kE?si=Y5adNpIBecbgCl5j
How to get better at presenting on your research https://youtu.be/EnG2cuMMMuA?si=QdRPh0pLMwT3wBue

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Want to see some of the resources and courses you can buy to help you on your PhD journey? Here are a few that you might like if you enjoyed this video:

Want to get confident with paradigms? Check out my course, Paradigms for Beginners https://www.thedegreedoctor.com/paradigms-for-beginners
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